Weather is taking its toll on the racecards

BIG FREEZE CAUSES ISSUES

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John is due to run in Ireland, but may be scuppered by the weather TODAY’S meeting at Kelso has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

The card, set to feature the £50,000 Borders National, had been due to face an inspection at 7.30am on raceday.

However, with frost already in the ground and freezing temperatures expected overnight, an early decision was taken.

Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead tweeted: “Conditions @KelsoRacecourse have remained below freezing since 7am & frost now in the ground. With forecast still set to freeze to -4 Sunday morning, & only due to rise to 0 deg by noon, racing on Sunday 10th Dec has regrettably been abandoned.”

And it may not be the only meeting off, with Punchestown having to pass an 8am inspection if it is to go ahead.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John was one of six runners set to go to post in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, which is the feature event on a seven-race card.

However, while the track is fit for action at present, the threat of snow has forced officials into a morning inspection.

Horse Racing Ireland tweeted: “Punchestown to hold 8am track inspection due to the forecast of snow. The track is currently raceable with the ground soft to heavy.”